Switch device for a power tool

Abstract

An operating device (1) for a power tool, including at least one first and second switching element (40, 50), the first switching element (40) being settable to a first and a second mode, and the second switching element (50) being settable to a first and a second mode, the first switching element (40) including at least one first signaling means (21) for the particular signaling of the first or second mode, and the second switching element (50) including at least one second signaling means (22) for the particular signaling of the first or second mode. The operating device is designed in such a way that the second switching element (50) is settable from the first mode to the second mode only when the first switching element (40) is set from the first mode to the second mode.

Claims

1. An operating device for a power tool, the operating device comprising: at least one first and second switching element, the first switching element being settable to a first and a second mode of the first switching element, and the second switching element being settable to a first and a second mode of the second switching element, the first switching element including at least one first signal means for particular signaling of the first or second mode of the first switching element, and the second switching element including at least one second signal means for particular signaling of the first or second mode of the second switching element, the second switching element being settable from the first mode to the second mode of the second switching element only when the first switching element is set from the first mode to the second mode of the first switching element; wherein the second signal means indicates the first mode of the second switching element when the first switching element is in the second mode.

2. The operating device as recited in claim 1 further comprising an elastomer attachment having a first and a second elevation and a membrane keypad having at least one first and second membrane key, the elastomer attachment being positioned over the membrane keypad in a first direction A, so that the first membrane key is activatable by a predetermined pressure force on the first elevation in a second direction B, and the second membrane key is activatable by a second predetermined pressure force on the second elevation.

3. The operating device as recited in claim 2 wherein the first switching element is implemented by the first elevation on the elastomer attachment and the first membrane key, and the second switching element is implemented by the second elevation on the elastomer attachment and the second membrane key, a housing of the power tool having at least one first and second opening, and the elastomer attachment being positioned with respect to the first and second openings of the housing in such a way that the first elevation is operatable through the first opening, and the second elevation is operatable through the second opening.

4. The operating device as recited in claim 3 wherein the first and second elevations each include at least one projecting element, and the first and second openings each have at least one recess, each of the at least one projecting element being positioned in a respective at least one recess in an assembled state of the operating device, so that a complete passage of the first or second elevation through the first or second opening is prevented.

5. The operating device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first mode of the first switching element corresponds to a blocking function, and the second mode of the first switching element corresponds to a release function, and the first mode of the second switching element corresponds to an idle function, and the second mode of the second switching element corresponds to a working function.

6. The operating device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first signal means indicates the first mode of the first switching element when the second switching element is actuated.

7. The operating device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first signal means indicates the second mode of the first switching element when the first switching element is actuated for longer than a predetermined period of time.

8. A grinder comprising the operating device as recited in claim 1.

9. An operating device for a power tool, the operating device comprising: at least one first and second switching element, the first switching element being settable to a first and a second mode of the first switching element, and the second switching element being settable to a first and a second mode of the second switching element, the first switching element including at least one first signal means for particular signaling of the first or second mode of the first switching element, and the second switching element including at least one second signal means for particular signaling of the first or second mode of the second switching element, the second switching element being settable from the first mode to the second mode of the second switching element only when the first switching element is set from the first mode to the second mode of the first switching element; wherein the second signal means indicates the first mode of the second switching element when the first switching element is in the second mode; wherein when the second switching element is pressed without the first switching element being pressed for at least a predetermined period of time, the first signal means is activated intermittently.

10. An operating device for a power tool, the operating device comprising: at least one first and second switching element, the first switching element being settable to a first and a second mode of the first switching element, and the second switching element being settable to a first and a second mode of the second switching element, the first switching element including at least one first signal means for particular signaling of the first or second mode of the first switching element, and the second switching element including at least one second signal means for particular signaling of the first or second mode of the second switching element, the second switching element being settable from the first mode to the second mode of the second switching element only when the first switching element is set from the first mode to the second mode of the first switching element; wherein the second signal means indicates the first mode of the second switching element when the first switching element is in the second mode; wherein after the first switching element has been pressed for longer than a predetermined period of time, the first signal means is deactivated and the second signal means is activated for a predetermined second period of time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the figures, identical and equivalent components are provided with identical reference numerals.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an operating device on a housing of a power tool according to one specific embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the operating device, including an elastomer attachment and a membrane keypad in a disassembled state;

(4) FIG. 3a shows a top view of the elastomer attachment; and

(5) FIG. 3b shows a side view of the elastomer attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows an operating device 1 for a power tool, in particular a grinder. However, the power tool may also be any other suitable power tool. The power tool is not illustrated in full in the figures. Only one part of housing 2 of the power tool is illustrated in the figures.

(7) Operating device 1 essentially includes an elastomer attachment 3 and a membrane keypad 4.

(8) Elastomer attachment 3, in turn, essentially includes a baseplate 5 and a number of elevations (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). Elastomer attachment 3 is manufactured from a soft, flexible plastic. The plastic may be silicone or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2, elastomer attachment 3 includes a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh elevation 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. First, second, third and fourth elevations 6, 7, 8, 9 each have a cylindrical and solid design and are each used as an actuating element. Fifth through eleventh elevations 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 are used as indicator elements.

(9) Elastomer attachment 3 may optionally also be provided with a hard cap in the area of the actuating elements.

(10) Membrane keypad 4 essentially includes a first, second, third and fourth membrane key 17, 18, 19, 20 as well as a first and second signaling means 21, 22. A light scale having five light levels 23 is furthermore included on membrane keypad 4. Signaling means 21, 22, 23 are each designed in the form of an LED (light-emitting diode). At one end 4a, membrane keypad 4 has a flat ribbon cable 24 as an electrical connection.

(11) The power tool includes a housing 2, which essentially has a first and a second housing half 2a, 2b. Elastomer attachment 3 as well as membrane keypad 4 are positioned and held between first and second housing halves 2a, 2b in an assembled state. As illustrated in FIG. 2, first housing half 2a has eleven openings 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. Eleven openings 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 in first housing half 2a are used to accommodate eleven elevations 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 of elastomer attachment 3, so that a user activates elevations 6, 7, 8, 9 designed as actuating elements through the openings. As also illustrated in FIG. 2, first, second, third and fourth openings 25, 26, 27, 28 of first housing half 2a have a border 36. Each border 36 has a first and a second recess 36a, 36b. However, each recess 36a, 36b does not extend over the entire height of border 36, so that recess 36a, 36b is essentially designed as a slit or notch in border 36. First, second, third and fourth elevations 6, 7, 8, 9 each include a first and second projecting element 37, 38. First projecting element 37 of elevation 6, 7, 8, 9 is designed in such a way that it may be inserted into particular first recess 36a, 36b of opening 25, 26, 27, 28. Second projecting element 36a, 36b of recess 6, 7, 8, 9 is furthermore designed in such a way that it may be inserted into particular second recess 36b of opening 25, 26, 27, 28. When elevations 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 of elastomer attachment 3 are accommodated in particular openings 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 of first housing half 2a, projecting elements 37, 38 are inserted into particular recesses 36a, 36b. The interaction of projecting elements 37, 38 with recesses 36a, 36b prevents an elevation 6, 7, 8, 9, which has become detached from baseplate 5 of elastomer attachment 3, from falling through opening 25, 26, 27, 28. Even an elevation 6, 7, 8, 9 detached from baseplate 5 remains held thereby in opening 25, 26, 27, 28 of first housing half 2a and is thus still able to function. A detachment of an elevation 6, 7, 8, 9 from baseplate 5 may take place due to wear.

(12) As mentioned above, elastomer attachment 3 as well as membrane keypad 4 are situated between first and second housing halves 2a, 2b in an assembled state. First and second housing halves 2a, 2b are detachably connected to each other by a screw connection. The elastomer attachment is situated over membrane keypad 4 in a first direction A. It should be noted that elastomer attachment 3 is arranged or positioned over membrane keypad 4 in such a way that elevations 6, 7, 8, 9 designed as actuating elements (first, second, third and fourth elevations) are each positioned accordingly above first, second, third and fourth membrane keys 17, 18, 19, 20 in direction A. When the user of the power tool applies a certain pressure to elevations 6, 7, 8, 9 designed as actuating elements, membrane keys 6, 7, 8, 9 situated below elastomer attachment 3 in second direction B may be activated hereby. Moreover, fifth through eleventh elevations 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 designed as indicator elements are situated over the signaling means of membrane keypad 4 in the assembled state. The material of elastomer attachment 3 is translucent. However, the upper surface of elevation 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 has an opaque coating. In the indication areas of fifth through eleventh elevation 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, the coating is removed, so that the light of the underlying signaling means may shine through. This allows the user of the power tool to perceive an illumination of the signaling means on the outside of housing 2 of the power tool.

(13) A combination of an elevation 6, 7, 8, 9 designed as an actuating element (i.e. the first through fourth elevation) with one of first through fourth membrane keys 17, 18, 19, 20 is used as a switching element. First switching element 40 therefore includes first elevation 6 designed as an actuating element as well as first membrane key 17. In addition, second switching element 50 includes second elevation 7 designed as an actuating element as well as second membrane key 18.

(14) To activate the power tool, first switching element 40 (i.e. the combination of first elevation 6 and first membrane key 17) is initially pressed in second direction B for a certain first period of time (approximately 10 to 20 milliseconds). In addition, first signaling means 21 lights up multiple times, i.e. flashes, when second switching element 50 is pressed, without first switching element 40 first being pressed for longer than the predetermined first period of time. This function is used to indicate to the user of the power tool that first switching element 40 must initially be pressed for the first period of time to activate the power tool. After first switching element 40 has been pressed for longer than the predetermined first period of time, first signaling means 21 goes out and second signaling means 22 lights up for a predetermined second period of time (approximately 3 to 5 seconds). While second signaling means 22 lights up for the second period of time, second switching element 50 (i.e. the combination of second elevation 7 and second membrane key 18) may be pressed in second direction B. The power tool is finally activated by the pressing and actuation of second switching element 50, i.e. an electric motor in the power tool is turned on. The electric motor is not illustrated in the figures. However, if second switching element 50 is not pressed within the second period of time, second signaling means 22 goes out, while first signaling means 21 lights up again, and a pressing of second switching element 50 no longer results in an activation of the power tool.

(15) To terminate the activation of the power tool or the electric motor, second switching element 50 is pressed again.

(16) First switching element 40 is used as a locking key, and second switching element 50 is used as the actual activating key (On/Off key).